<p>How important are the AP tests really? College use them only for placement, right? and you generally can't test out of courses that are part of your major, right? So are SAT II more important, since some college use them for admission?</p>
<p>APs demonstrate ability to handle college-level work, so I'm sure they are a positive thing when determining admissions.</p>
<p>Actually, colleges (not all) use them for admissions. They are very important in that they are basically the college's indicator of your AP class. Sure, they have your grade, but who's to say one's AP classes weren't extremely easy? Then schools could have students taking "AP" courses just for transcripts- I certainly know of schools like that. It's when the top students frpm a class, who have 99s or 100s, get 2s or 3s at a stretch that the colleges know the classes weren't really AP. On the flip side, no one from my school has ever gotten below a 3 in a mainstream AP course- the worst test takers who have low Cs in the class get 3s. This is how colleges know that we take our AP courses serisously, that they are competitive, and that they aren't there to fill room on an application. People will disagree with me, but that's the way we see it, and it works for us.</p>
<p>The statement "colleges use SAT IIs but not AP for admission" is not true. I am applying to colleges where just the reverse is true. I have known people to use AP scorse to opt out of, for example, English classes while pursuing an English major.</p>
<p>Finally!
Yes, APs are SO overrated, seriously, an education should be about learning how to think for yourself, not about The College Board brainwashing high school students! =)</p>
<p>I confused as to how the AP’s are any more or less “brainwashing” than regular classes. There’s more material, to be sure, but isn’t that exactly what a motivated and bright student would tend toward anyway?</p>
<p>^Yeah I agree, cht2011. Regardless of AP scores vs SAT II scores, colleges want to see that you are taking the most rigorous course loads available, and one of the best ways to do it is by taking AP classes</p>
<p>APs aren’t overrated at all. Work hard, learn a lot, looks really good on college applications, and you get college credit. Sounds great to me.</p>
<p>The scores themselves are not as important as other factors such as GPA/SAT,ACT/Essay/Extra Activities. It’s definitely something, but I would not prioritize it over the rest.</p>
<p>Personally, I think they’re great for admissions and even for credit if you can get it at your colleges. My Ivy Leagues, however, won’t take many of mine for credit, and taking the tests was probably not worth the stress. I’m not taking several of mine this year, just to lower my stress level with musical and college decisions at the same time. </p>
<p>Look at the colleges you are considering and see what they’ll take for credit or what they recommend for admissions. My suggestion? Take them your junior year to prove you took strong AP classes. Don’t take them senior year unless you aren’t stressing out at all about them.</p>
<p>harvard gives credit. you could save up to a year!</p>
<p>*College use them only for placement, right? and you generally can’t test out of courses that are part of your major, right? *</p>
<p>No…</p>
<p>My kids have used their AP credits for classes in their major. </p>
<p>They also have allowed my kids to easily fit in second majors and minors.</p>
<p>My kids could graduate a year early, but they’ve decided to pursue more coursework.</p>
<p>To emphasize, CHECK WITH THE COLLEGES YOU’RE INTERESTED IN! 
They can give you more specific information… the details depend on the specific college.</p>
<p>The tests, are not used for admission by any school besides the exception of NYU (If you decide not to take the SAT/SAT2’s)</p>
<p>They save time and money, but they are not even close to being as important as the SAT or SAT 2’s (Which do count for admission at ALL schools).</p>
<p>And no, they are not overrated. It’s good to take any AP class/test offered at your school.</p>
<p>
I completely agree with that. Getting an A+ in an AP class but getting like a 1 or 2 on the Exam just destroys the credibility of your school/transcript.
And it could reveal to colleges that you cheated your way through the school course by failing the AP. So basically, avoid 1s and 2s at all costs unless you Self Studied or have a really good reason.</p>
<p>If you’re trying to get into an Ivy League, it’s extremely important. All of the people applying alongside you will have upwards of 10 AP Classes under their belt, some of which might even be self-studied. It shows a dedication to school, as they are the highest level you can take.</p>
<p>If your school doesn’t offer any, or offers only 3-4, you should a) consider self-studying or b) do a dual enrollment at a nearby college.</p>
<p>Admissions are getting pretty competitive as the years pass!</p>
<p>yes they are overrated</p>
<p>I feel that AP exams, when compared with the IB system, fail miserably. </p>
<p>However, if they are all that one has available in terms of high-level coursework, then one should endeavor to take as many AP courses as possible. Thinking creatively, in my opinion, is not emphasized by the College Board; I regurgitated information on the majority of my exams and did no intensive thinking at all. If you’re applying to any post-secondary institution, bear in mind that they like to see students who have pushed the envelope and challenged themselves as much as possible. If AP exams are the way to do that, then take them.</p>
<p>5 in AP doesn’t mean anything…You can ignore many chapters and still get a 5</p>